Scott, Michael M.
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Pharmacology
Education
- BS, Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- MS, Pharmacology, Queen's University
- PhD, Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University
Contact Information
PO Box 800735
1340 Jefferson Park Ave., Pinn Hall, Room 5050C
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Telephone: 434-243-1920
Fax: 434-982-3878
Email: michael.scott@virginia.edu
Research Interests
Investigation of the neuronal circuits and epigenetic modifications involved in the control of food intake, impulsivity and novelty seeking behavior
Research Description
We have three main projects that are ongoing in the laboratory.
The first project involves an investigation into the necessity and sufficiency of prefrontal cortical interneurons in regulating impulsivity, attention, food seeking, social interaction, and novelty seeking.
A second project focuses on describing the importance of DNA methylation regulation of prefrontal cortical neuron function and subsequently, the control of feeding and impulsive behavior.
Finally, a third project focuses on describing the transcriptomic diversity resident within neurons of the hindbrain that express preproglucagon, neurons that we recently described as being capable of reducing food intake in obese animals.